Method and apparatus for creating a multimedia presentation from heterogeneous media objects in a digital imaging device

A digital imaging device for creating a multimedia presentation from heterogeneous media objects, comprising:

• a randomly-accessible mass storage device for storing the heterogeneous media objects, each one of the media objects having one or more media types associated therewith, wherein the media types include a still image, a sequential image, video, audio, and text;
• a video codec for decoding the video associated with any of the stored media objects when the stored media objects are to be displayed;
• a hardware user interface for displaying the heterogeneous media objects, the hardware user interface including means to select one of the media objects, and a mark key for marking the selected media object;
• and
• processing means coupled to the mass storage device, the video codec, and to the hardware user interface for controlling operation of the digital imaging device, the processing means functioning such that in response to the user repeatedly selecting media objects and pressing the mark key, a number is displayed on each selected media object corresponding to an order in which the media object is marked, and an ordered set of marked media objects is defined, the processing means further functioning to allow the user to change the number on a marked media object to rearrange the order of the ordered set and to present a slide show from the ordered set of marked media objects, where upon initiation of the slide show presentation, each one of the media objects is automatically displayed in the order designated by number on the media object.

A method for creating a multimedia slide show in a digital imaging device, which includes a navigation control button, and one or more function keys, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) enabling the digital imaging device to capture at least two different media types including a still image, a sequential image, video, and audio, wherein one or more of the media types may be combined to create a media object;
• b) displaying a representation of each one of the media objects on a display screen;
• c) selecting one of the displayed media objects in response to a user pressing the navigation control button;
• d) marking the selected media object in response to a user pressing a corresponding function key;
• e) displaying a mark indication on the selected media object in response to the user pressing the corresponding function key, wherein the mark indication comprises a number corresponding to an order in which the media object is marked;
• f) repeating steps (c) through (e) to provide an ordered set of marked media objects;
• g) optionally changing the number on a marked media object to rearrange the order of the marked media objects;
• h) saving the ordered set of marked media objects;
• and
• i) presenting the slide show from the ordered set of marked media objects, where upon initiation of the slide show presentation, each one of the media objects is automatically displayed on a display screen in the order designated by the number on each media object.